Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mountain Biking
The Jarabacoa and Constanza areas are the best and most popular areas for mountain-bike
riding. The crisp air and cool climate make for ideal cycling and dirt roads and single-
track trails offer challenging climbs and thrilling descents through thick forests and a
number of waterfalls are within easy reach.
Cabarete also has a number of good rides and is home to the DR's best cycling tour op-
erator, Iguana Mama (
Click here
), and one of it's more passionate advocates/guides, Max-
imo Martinez. It offers mountain-bike tours ranging from half-day downhill rides to
12-day cross-country excursions. It can also customize a trip to fit your interests, available
time and experience level.
Tour prices vary widely depending on the length of the ride, but begin at around US$45
per person for half-day trips.
TIPS FROM MAXIMO
Based in Cabarete, Maximo Martinez has been exploring mountain-bike trails all over the DR for the
last 20 years.
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A not-to-miss ride for those interested in easy-going terrain is through the sugarcane fields around
La Romana in the southeast.
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The best times are when you're deep in the mountains and local villagers allow you access to their
trails.
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The 'Cibao Valley Loop', a wonderful six to seven hours, begins in Cabarete, taking the road to
Sabaneta de Yásica, 40km through the mountains down to Moca, heading to the west of Santiago,
then north to Puerto Plata and back to Cabarete.
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The Septentrional range possesses the most technical rides, especially around Cabarete. The des-
cents are down rocky, shady trails, best during summertime. These are perfect teaching trails.
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One of the most demanding rides in the country is Tour del Sufrimiento (the Suffering Tour), from
Jarabacoa to Constanza to San José de Ocoa to Santo Domingo.
Birdwatching
The DR is a popular destination for gung-ho birders looking for the island's endemic bird
species - 32 in all (depending on who you ask and how you count). The very best place to
go birding is the southwest, especially the north slope of the Sierra de Bahoruco, where
you can spot nearly all the endemics, including the high-altitude habitat-loss-threatened
La Selle's thrush, western chat-tanager, white-winged warbler, rufous-throated solitaire
